Controlled closure system for sliding furniture elements

ABSTRACT

A controlled closure system for a sliding element of a piece of furniture, comprises an elongated body provided in which is a rectilinear groove passing through the body and extended axially in the closure direction. An engagement element slides along the groove to move from a first idle position to a second closure position through the action of a spring. The engagement element comprises abutment surfaces to delimit, between them, a seat intended to accommodate a drawing projection integral with the sliding element. Suitable sliding surfaces between the engagement element and the groove cause the rotation of the engagement element when it is in the idle position in such a manner to lower the front abutment surface towards a groove and allow the passage of the drawing projection towards the closure until it pushes against the rear abutment surface and rotate the engagement element to raise the front abutment surface and draw the projection towards the closed position of the sliding element of a piece of furniture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention refers to a controlled closure system for sliding furniture elements.

2. State of the Prior Art

Known are spring equipped closure systems for sliding elements of a piece of furniture (for example sliding wardrobe doors) which are substantially provided with a body, an engagement element and a spring. The closure system has a slider which engages the sliding door when it nears the closure position and spring-draws the it to the fully closed position. Upon manually drawing the sliding door again towards the opening, the system is reset, with the slider returning to the initial position and then releasing the door.

Usually present on the body of the engagement element are cavities sliding inside which are special projections provided for on the engagement element. Generally, the lateral cavities in which the guide projections slide are difficult to make, weaken the body and are exposed to unwanted torsions and flexures. A closure system of this type is, for example, described in EP 0391221.

The general object of the present invention is that of overcoming the abovementioned drawbacks by providing an innovative system for closing sliding elements of a piece of furniture, which does not have lateral cavities and is more sturdy and durable as well as easier to make. Such system is particularly suitable for wardrobes in which the doors are guided by carriages sliding on guide sections generally obtained from extrusion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve such object conceived, according to the invention, was a controlled closure system for a sliding element of piece of furniture, comprising an elongated body provided in which is a rectilinear groove passing through the body and extended axially in the closure direction, an engagement element being arranged sliding in the groove to move from a first idle position to a second closure position through the action of a spring, the engagement element comprising a front abutment surface and a rear abutment surface projecting from the groove and mutually opposite along the direction of extension of the groove to delimit—between each other—a seat intended to accommodate a drawing projection integral with the sliding element, in said first position the traction of the spring and the support of the engagement element in the groove being such to cause the rotation of the engagement element in the groove plane, that is lowering the front abutment surface towards the groove, the engagement element coupling with such rotation a stop element to maintain the first position against the action of the spring, lowering of the front abutment surface in said first position being such that the drawing projection pushed to close can extend beyond the front abutment surface and push against the rear abutment surface, in such a manner to cause the opposite rotation of the engagement element, the raising of the front abutment surface above the drawing projection and the disengagement of the stop element, in such manner freeing the engagement element to allow its movement drawn by the spring towards the second position and dragging the drawing projection of the sliding element of the piece of furniture along towards the closure position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To better explain the innovative principles and the advantages of the present invention with respect to the prior art, described hereinafter, with the help of the attached drawings is a possible embodiment applying such principles. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 represents a perspective schematic view of a closure system according to the invention mounted on a piece of furniture with sliding door;

FIG. 2 represents an upper plan view of the system of FIG. 1 in closure position;

FIG. 3 represents a lower plan view of the system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 represents a partially sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to the one of FIG. 3, but with the system in a reset position;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of an engagement element of the system of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are bottom perspective views of two variants of the engagement system of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures, shown in FIG. 1 is a controlled closure system, generally indicated by 10, made according to the principles of the invention, mounted for example at the end of the travel of a sliding door 11 of a piece of furniture 12. The door 11 is guided by upper carriages 13, of the known type, which slide along guide sections 14, also of the known type (usually obtained from extrusion). As observable in FIG. 1, the closure system can be advantageously accommodated in a groove of the guide sections. The system can also be mounted at the end of the two movement directions of the door, both closed and fully open.

The controlled closure system 10 comprises a body 15 which serves as an accommodation for the entire mechanism and sliding in which is an engagement element 16 which operates on a drawing projection 17 of one of the carriages of the door.

As better observable hereinafter, when the door is moved to slide until the projection 17 reaches the closure system, the engagement 16 is spring actuated to draw the door up to the abutment, as observable in FIG. 1. Should soft closure be required, the system 10 may comprise a damping device 18.

As observable in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, provided inside the body 15 is a through groove 20, usually rectangular, extended axially in the direction of action of the system with parallel lateral walls. Provided on the upper part of the parallel wall are two slots 21, 22 which form horizontal surfaces 23, 24 which end with two cavities 25, 26 in the direction opposite to that of the system closure. Provided in the lower part of the lateral walls are two further slots 30, 31 which form horizontal surfaces 32, 33.

As well observable in FIG. 4, the body 15 is extended beyond the groove 20 in the closure direction and forms—at the upper part—a seat 27 for accommodating the possible damping device 18 and—at the lower part—a seat 28 for the spring 29. Damping device and spring are fixed at an end to the body 15 and at the other end to the engagement element 16. The screw operates in traction and draws the engagement element in the door closure direction (towards the right in the figures), suitably countered by the damping device, if provided.

In FIG. 4 also shown is a fixing plate 34 which alongside a screw 35 provides means for fixing the entire system on the guide section 14.

The body 15 does not have lateral cavities and in the preferred case in which the body is made of plastic material by means of injection molding, or made of die cast metal, molding shall be particularly simple (carriages are not required) and though being very long with respect to the lateral dimension, the piece has a good consistency.

The engagement element 16 has a body shaped to slide inside the groove 20. As observable in FIG. 6, advantageously the engagement element has a central zone, with a thickness adapted to slide with minimum clearance in the groove 20, and upper 36 and lower 37 zones with greater thickness adapted to slide with minimum clearance in the space respectively delimited in the upper slots 21, 22 and 30, 31. The lower part may not be integral with but fixed to the engagement element to allow an easy mounting.

The engagement element 16 symmetrically has—on the two sides—horizontal surfaces 39 intended to slide on the sliding surfaces 23, 24 on the sides of the groove 20. The surfaces 39 are shaped centrally in such a manner to provide a stop or tooth 40. The parts of the surface 39 forming the teeth 40 on the two sides of the engagement element are intended to enter into the slot 25 and 26 to allow the rotation of the element 16 and its locking in the idle position.

Advantageously, the engagement element also comprises horizontal lateral surfaces 38 intended to slide on the lower surfaces 32, 33 at the sides of the groove 20.

The engagement element has—at the upper part—a projection 41 for attaching a possible damping device and—at the opposite side—a tooth 42. The projection 41 and the tooth 42 respectively define a front abutment surface 48 and a rear abutment surface 49 projecting from the groove and mutually opposite along the direction of extension of the groove to delimit, between them, a seat or accommodation 44 intended to accommodate the drawing projection 17 integral with the sliding element 11.

When the closing system is in the idle position illustrated in FIG. 5 (door open), the engagement element 16 is blocked at the left end position inside the sliding track formed by the groove 20. The stop position is guaranteed by lateral teeth 40 which are fitted into the respective slots 25, 26. The fitting is obtained by means of the rotation torque of the engagement element caused by the traction of the spring on the hook 47 according to a downward direction with respect to the sliding surface 39.

As well observable in FIG. 5, the engagement element, the sliding surfaces, the teeth and the respective slots are dimensioned in such a manner that when the mechanism is in the left end block condition, the front abutment surface 48 is lowered towards the groove in such a manner not to interfere with the travel of the projection 17 (indicated with a dashed line in FIGS. 4 and 5).

In such manner, when the leaf is pushed or moved in the closure direction, the projecting part 17 of the carriage impacts against the rear abutment surface 49 of the engagement element rotating the hook itself around the fulcrum point 45 represented by the part beneath the surface 39, thus allowing the disengagement of the stop elements 40 from the slots. At this point, the engagement element slides in the direction of maximum closure (towards the right in FIG. 4) drawn by the spring, with the tooth 42 engaging the drawing projection 17 of the carriage, as observable in FIG. 4. Thus, the door is drawn in the direction of maximum closure.

The projection 17, suitably dimensioned, is held with minimum clearance in an accommodation 44 thus, as a matter of fact, integrally joining the engagement element and the carriage of the door for the axial movement.

The leaf is opened by exerting a force greater than the traction force exerted by the spring 29. The carriage of the leaf, through the projecting part 17, draws the engagement element 16 in the opening direction impacting against the tooth 42. When the teeth 40 arrive above the respective cavities 25, 26 of the upper sliding surfaces 23, 24, the engagement element rotates again around its fulcrum point 45 allowing the insertion of the teeth into the cavities. The system thus returns to the initial condition of FIG. 5 and the drawing projection 17 is freed from the projection 44. Thus, the door is free to continue its travel to open.

At this point, it is clear how the preset objects have been obtained.

In order to prevent an inadvertent closure in which the engagement element 16 is at the position described in FIG. 4, but the projecting part 17 is not blocked inside the accommodation 44, it is advantageous to provide the tooth 42 with an inclined surface 43 and a cavity 46 inside the tooth in such a manner to allow, exerting a suitable pressure on the inclined surface 43, the flexure of the tooth itself, as easily imaginable by a man skilled in the art. In this manner, by strongly pushing the door in the direction of maximum closure, the projecting part 17 bends the tooth 42 sliding above it until it abuts against the surface 49. At this point, the tooth is once again free to regain its initial form raising over the projecting part 17 and blocking it inside the accommodation 44.

Obviously, the aforementioned description of an embodiment applying the innovative principles of the present invention is given as an example of such innovative principles and thus should not be deemed restrictive in the scope of the patent herein claimed.

For example, the function of the surfaces 38 and 39 of the engagement element can also be attained by means of other forms, such as for example, the ones illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, substantially where the surfaces are replaced by projections 38 a, 38 b, 39 a, 39 b which delimit their end points.

The projecting part 17 can be made in a single piece in the carriage or be made as separate elements, specifically made and fixed onto the carriage or leaf. 

1. Controlled closure system for a sliding element of a piece of furniture, comprising an elongated body provided in which is a rectilinear groove passing through the body and extended axially in the closure direction, an engagement element being arranged sliding in the groove to move from a first idle position to a second closure position through the action of a spring, the engagement element comprising a front abutment surface and a rear abutment surface projecting from the groove and mutually opposite along the extension direction of the groove to delimit, between them, a seat intended to accommodate a drawing projection integral with the sliding element, in said first position, the traction of the spring and the support of the engagement element in the groove being such to cause the rotation of the engagement element in the surface of the groove, in the direction of lowering the front abutment surface towards the groove, the engagement element coupling with such rotation a stop element to maintain the first position against the action of the spring, the lowering of the front abutment surface in said first position being such that the drawing projection pushed towards the closure can extend beyond the front abutment surface and push against the rear abutment surface, in such a manner to cause the opposite rotation of the engagement element, the raising of the front abutment surface above the drawing projection and the decoupling of the stop element, thus freeing the engagement element to allow its movement drawn by the spring towards the second position and dragging the drawing projection of the sliding element of a piece of furniture along towards the closure position.
 2. Closure system according to claim 1, characterized in that extended at the two sides of the groove, on the side of the abutment surface of the engagement element, are slots which define first surfaces, for sliding the engagement element, sliding on which are the corresponding lateral surfaces of the engagement element, the sliding surfaces having cavities close to the idle position of the engagement element inserted into which is a part of the said lateral surfaces of the engagement element to allow the said rotation, such part of the lateral surfaces being shaped to provide the said stop element which, upon rotation, is fitted into said cavity.
 3. Closure system according to claim 2, characterized in that the spring is arranged parallel to the groove and on the opposite part with respect to the abutment surfaces of the engagement element to generate a rotation torque on the engagement element.
 4. Closure system according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a linear damping device which guides the movement of the engagement element towards the closure position.
 5. Closure system according to claim 4, characterized in that the damping device is arranged parallel to the groove on the side of the abutment surfaces of the engagement element.
 6. Closure system according to claim 5, characterized in that the body is extended rectilinear beyond the groove in the closure direction to define seats for accommodating the damping device and the spring on its opposite sides.
 7. Closure system according to claim 1, characterized in that the front abutment surface is tooth-shaped, projecting from the engagement element, provided with a surface inclined with respect to the extension of the groove and opposite with respect to the front abutment surface, between the inclined surface and the front abutment surface the tooth being hollow to allow its elastic flexure towards the groove if the inclined surface is impacted by the drawing projection of the sliding element of a piece of furniture during its travel towards the closure position, in a way to allow extension beyond the front abutment surface from the drawing projection directed towards the closure position even when the engagement element is not rotated to have the front abutment surface retracted towards the groove.
 8. Closure system according to claim 1, characterized in that on the two sides of the groove, extended on the side opposite to the abutment surface of the engagement element, are second slots which define second sliding surfaces for the engagement element sliding on which are corresponding lateral surfaces of the engagement element.
 9. Closure system according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises blocking means intended to fix the body against a sliding body of the sliding element of a piece of furniture. 